Just had an epiphany about action

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

When I change my strings I usually always check my action and was thinking about the easy way to measure a medium low action. BAM it hit me!!! A penny for the treble side and a nickel for the bass side, each measured at the 12th fret. It's almost exactly how I like my strings and much more readily available than a ruler or calipers at a gig in poor lighting.

How do you measure your action? Or do you even care?

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 12247 Location: PEORIA ILLINOIS

if you do it right and youre just changing the same guage as last time there is no reason to check or change your action.

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6624 Location: Minnesota

With all the humidity and temperature changes here in MN, I check this with every string change. Adjustments typically need to be made twice a year.

And funny, I thought I've been doing it right all these years. Shows how much I know.

Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 814

BLOODROOT wrote:

if you do it right and youre just changing the same guage as last time there is no reason to check or change your action.

your action changes when the neck moves also. weather /time

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 12247 Location: PEORIA ILLINOIS

jd267 wrote:

BLOODROOT wrote:

if you do it right and youre just changing the same guage as last time there is no reason to check or change your action.

your action changes when the neck moves also. weather /time

I understand that but if you change them one string at a time with the same exact guage there is no reason to adjust anything. it was adjusted before you started.

Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 4622 Location: UP of Michigan

Graunke wrote:

With all the humidity and temperature changes here in MN, I check this with every string change. Adjustments typically need to be made twice a year.

And funny, I thought I've been doing it right all these years. Shows how much I know.

It's terrible how much necks move around here. My main acoustic has been fighting me all winter because its so dry in my house. Have hardly touched it since my New Years gig.

Usually as long as the strings don't buzz I'm good to go. Prefer the action a bit on the high side.

Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 1243 Location: New York, NY

I just set mine low enough that it doesn't buzz, never really worried about it that much. I'm different from alot of players in that I don't worry about the mechanics so much as long as it works for me.

I've heard stories about dudes obsessing over the types of screws used on a guitar and the amount of torque applied when tightening them. That is so not me. If it works, I'm happy.

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:50 am

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side then I lower the bass side a little more

Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 4622 Location: UP of Michigan

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side

Damn dude that's $0.09 more than Lannings method Shocked

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:53 am

milje wrote:

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side

Damn dude that's $0.09 more than Lannings method Shocked

I am a big spender Brian Laughing

Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 4622 Location: UP of Michigan

Northwinds wrote:

milje wrote:

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side

Damn dude that's $0.09 more than Lannings method Shocked

I am a big spender Brian Laughing

Couldn't you just use a dime?

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

milje wrote:

Northwinds wrote:

milje wrote:

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side

Damn dude that's $0.09 more than Lannings method Shocked

I am a big spender Brian Laughing

Couldn't you just use a dime?

That's it!!! I'm switching to Susan B Anthony dollars. Laughing

Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 814

I set my action on the high side .. I pic very hard for some reason . Heavy handed . I even have to put extra relief in the neck . Guess im a weirdo .

Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1282

Put it on your rider, it should make for some interesting glances, lol.

...2 cases of bottled water, 1000 red M&Ms, 6c US currency in newly minted untarnished, unworn coins (preferably 2010 issue).

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

LOL

Joined: 27 Oct 2010 Posts: 721 Location: Greenwood, IN

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side then I lower the bass side a little more

IIRC that's the method he uses for setting pickup height, not String height.

Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Posts: 345 Location: South-West Ohio

I hand check them using the width of teh strings as a guage [usually the strings I just took off]. IF you know the number you're looking for this sis slihgtly more precise... maybe? its worked for me. just a thought.

I usaully only have to adjust my action/truss rod once in spring adn once in fall. others wise its a rock and doesn't move. I've owned a few guitars that seemed to move daily - what a pain in teh ass - I got rid of them just for that reason.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10200 Location: New Jersey USA

I have the patented Stew Mac string action guage. it works well. Otherwise I use a pick. Smile

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:46 am

Little steel ruler.

And these days, glasses....

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 3:48 am

Bryan wrote:

Northwinds wrote:

Bill Lawrence method from long ago. Nickel on treble side, two nickels on the bass side then I lower the bass side a little more

IIRC that's the method he uses for setting pickup height, not String height.

Yep, you are correct but I do the same thing on the fretboard for good results at the 12th fret

Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 7418 Location: Backenforth, USA

I usually just fiddle with it for an hour or so until it feels right. I never buy the same strings twice in a row so it's constant experimenting. I generally like my action fairly high though.

Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 956 Location: D.O.A. 04-00341

I have been using a slide gauge at the 17th fret 5/64 and 3/64th but I got a notched dig caliper I am going to start using. The coin thing has been used by a lot of people through the years its also very consistent to measure with.

Electrics I measure at the 17th , acoustics at the 12th because of fall off on frets jobs below the 13th

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 3:56 pm

Great idea Lann, thanks for posting!
I usually fiddle with it.., i'm sure a nickel on the treble side and nickel and dime on the bass would work for me!